Remember last summer I took an Adriatic cruise? When the ship stopped in Trieste, Italy, my husband Tim and I headed to Slovenia for the day. We had only eight hours for the country and only three for its capital, Ljubljana—a lively, leafy university town—but that was enough to conclude that it’s the Portland, Oregon, of Europe and that we want to return someday with the kids. The story of my day in Slovenia is in our March issue, and, to give you a sense of Ljubljana’s charm, you can see a slideshow below of the pics of the Old Town that I shot with my iPhone during our three-hour stroll.

With the euro-dollar exchange rate worsening again (the euro is now back up to 1.31 dollars), there aren’t too many places in Europe where you can easily find affordable four- or five-star luxury accommodations for the upcoming peak summer season. But there are five cultural capitals in Central/Eastern Europe—including Ljubljana—where you can indeed, thanks to intense competition among hotels at the four- and five-star level. Gwen Kozlowski, Eastern Europe specialist with the travel planning firm Exeter International—which designed my super-efficient day in Slovenia that enabled me to see most of its highlights in only eight hours—has provided a list of special rates and deals at her favorite, road-tested, fabulously located luxury properties in Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Krakow, and Ljubljana. The prices and deals detailed below are specifically for July and August:

** Berlin**

At Mandala Suites, an all-suite property right off Gendarmenmarkt that’s a good choice for romantic couples (there are no twin beds), entry-level suites (which are more than 700 square feet) cost $205, inclusive of tax and breakfast.

At Adina Hackescher Markt, an all-suite property that’s well suited to families and is located in the heart of Mitte near the lively neighborhood of Hackesche Hofe, rates for a studio room start at $115, including tax and breakfast.

If you need a big hotel with a recognizable name, the Westin Grand has an unbeatable location right on Gendarmenmarkt and rates starting at $250, including tax and breakfast.

All Exeter International guests in Berlin receive complimentary Berlin WelcomeCards covering unlimited public transportation within the city, as well as Museum Passes offering free admission into all the top sites. Warning from Gwen: Avoid Berlin Fashion Week, July 4–6.

** Prague**

The five-star Kempinski Hotel Hybernska has a perfect location in the heart of the Old Town. Exeter guests receive the third night free, making the effective nightly rate $267 per night, inclusive of tax and breakfast, based on a three-night stay.

The 4-star Kings Court, also in the heart of the old town, has a pool—a real boon for families. Exeter guests receive the fourth night free, which brings the rate to $167 per night, including tax and breakfast, based on a four-night stay.

All Exeter International guests in Prague receive complimentary Prague Cards providing free entry into 50 of the top tourist attractions as well as complimentary public transportation.

** Budapest**

At the five-star Le Meridien Budapest, Exeter guests receive the fourth night free and are eligible for an upgrade upon arrival, based on availability. Rates start at $260 per night, including tax and breakfast. With the fourth night free, this brings the nightly rate to only $195.

At the four-star Mamaison Hotel Andrassy, which has an excellent location in the embassy district, Exeter guests receive a confirmed upgrade to the next category of room at the time of booking. Rooms start at $182 per night, including tax and breakfast.

Warning from Gwen: Avoid the Hungarian Grand Prix, July 26–30.

** Krakow**

Poland doesn’t use the euro, so not only do hotels cost less than in the other countries, but so do meals and activities. Rates at the 29-room Hotel Copernicus, Poland’s only Relais & Chateaux property, start at $175, including tax and breakfast. All Exeter guests are upgraded to deluxe rooms, based on availability at the time of booking.